How to Write a Speech to Get You Elected
Make the speech age appropriate., Understand the socio-economic status of your target audience., Relate to them by discussing one of their interests., Fit your speech to the time constraints expected by the audience., Understand the current trends...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make the speech age appropriate.
This doesn't just mean verbal restraint in front of young audiences.
Every age group has different issues that face it and you must understand their concerns.
Even underclassmen and seniors at the same schools have different concerns. -
Step 2: Understand the socio-economic status of your target audience.
An individual's relative position in society has a tremendous influence on their mindset, and their confidence (or lack thereof) influences their political actions.Are you trying to win over the self-assured, or the downtrodden? Know your target demographic.
It could be claimed that such information is more relevant to adult office-seekers than to young adults who covet student or club positions.
But perhaps it could be said in response that anyone who claims that socioeconomic status isn't important to high schoolers clearly remembers nothing about being a teenager. , It is often useful in a speech to remark upon something of special interest to your audience.
This doesn't have to be about serious subjects; many politicians open with remarks about the local sports team.Any admission that you know little of sports teams cannot hurt you, as long as you don't follow it up by discussing your familiarity with the owners of sports teams., This is not just about keeping it short, though that is usually a good suggestion; nor is it simply about keeping within the allotted time.
If this is a big speech and the crowd has been waiting for you, it is almost inappropriate to deliver a brief address.
Give them what they came for, but know when to call it a day. , What are people talking about right now? Have recent events made something especially important? You must keep up on issues of pressing interest that are relevant to the position for which you are applying. , Has the audience been put to sleep by previous speakers? Is your speech at the climax of some long conference or association gathering? The audience may need a wake-up call.
Such a speech may not be appropriate at all times, when more sedate discussions of ideas are more appropriate.
William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold Speech" at the 1896 Democratic National Convention was perhaps the finest examples of a speech perfectly timed to fit the occasion.
Coming at the end of a nasty debate (and the day before the party was to nominate its presidential candidate), the dramatic delivery and hopeful message of the speech won the admiration of the delegates.
The next day, the convention nominated Bryan as the party's presidential candidate., Remember that your goal is to be understood, not simply impress people with your intelligence.
People will already think you are smart if you have the same ideas as them, and the use of words or phrases that are currently uncommon will not be beneficial.
Keep sentences short and easily understood., If this speech matters to you, mistakes are unacceptable.
It may also be useful to have a friend proofread it as well. , There will undoubtedly be parts that are grammatically correct but sound awkward.
There will also be points that require special emphasis.
You will only know how and when to do so by practicing the speech out loud., You are already convinced of your own greatness.
Your job is to convince others.
If the friends who listen to you are anything like your target audience, then you must pay some heed to their recommendations. , It is vital that you grab the audiences attention quickly.
According to at least one speechwriter, "Audiences decide if they like you, and if you are a person of character, in between eight and 20 seconds of the start." You need to indicate something about your purpose within the first minute, even if it is not yet stated openly.
You must at least make it clear that you are going to discuss something that they want to hear about.
Many candidates chose to discuss something about themselves in the opening.
In particular, most focus on something that connects them to either the issue they will discuss today or the audience they are talking to.
Explain how you are a personally connected to something that matters to them. , Your ultimate goal must be stated within the first minutes.
Details are not necessary at this point, but in the ideal scenario you will be laying out a vision that you share with the audience.
Once again, the amount of specifics you provide about how you will achieve your goals should be tailored to fit the audience.
Are they one that is interested in such specifics, or will generalities do? Your tone must be relatively upbeat.
You can criticize the current situation, but those leaders who have been most successful at building mass followings have presented messages of hope. , Any proposal that you present must be tied to your ability to make it a reality.
If you can make clear that you are the best hope for the change your propose, you have made you election a necessity for at least some of those who are listening.
If that group is large enough, your victory is all but assured. , Yes, yes, the introduction is vitally important.
Well it is.
The conclusion is nearly as vital.
Here, you must explain to the audience what they must do in order to make change happen.
While obviously you want them to vote for you, it is often better to create a small amount of distance here.
Give the audience agency; allow them to "make a statement" on election day.
The speech should explain how your election is simply the best way they can empower themselves. -
Step 3: Relate to them by discussing one of their interests.
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Step 4: Fit your speech to the time constraints expected by the audience.
-
Step 5: Understand the current trends.
-
Step 6: Know what the audience is ready for.
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Step 7: Use common
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Step 8: almost conversational language.
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Step 9: Proofread it.
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Step 10: Practice delivering it.
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Step 11: Listen to feedback.
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Step 12: Open strong.
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Step 13: Make your message--and the tone in which it is delivered--clear to your audience.
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Step 14: Even more than any policy
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Step 15: remember that your are convincing the audience to vote for you.
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Step 16: Close strong.
Detailed Guide
This doesn't just mean verbal restraint in front of young audiences.
Every age group has different issues that face it and you must understand their concerns.
Even underclassmen and seniors at the same schools have different concerns.
An individual's relative position in society has a tremendous influence on their mindset, and their confidence (or lack thereof) influences their political actions.Are you trying to win over the self-assured, or the downtrodden? Know your target demographic.
It could be claimed that such information is more relevant to adult office-seekers than to young adults who covet student or club positions.
But perhaps it could be said in response that anyone who claims that socioeconomic status isn't important to high schoolers clearly remembers nothing about being a teenager. , It is often useful in a speech to remark upon something of special interest to your audience.
This doesn't have to be about serious subjects; many politicians open with remarks about the local sports team.Any admission that you know little of sports teams cannot hurt you, as long as you don't follow it up by discussing your familiarity with the owners of sports teams., This is not just about keeping it short, though that is usually a good suggestion; nor is it simply about keeping within the allotted time.
If this is a big speech and the crowd has been waiting for you, it is almost inappropriate to deliver a brief address.
Give them what they came for, but know when to call it a day. , What are people talking about right now? Have recent events made something especially important? You must keep up on issues of pressing interest that are relevant to the position for which you are applying. , Has the audience been put to sleep by previous speakers? Is your speech at the climax of some long conference or association gathering? The audience may need a wake-up call.
Such a speech may not be appropriate at all times, when more sedate discussions of ideas are more appropriate.
William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold Speech" at the 1896 Democratic National Convention was perhaps the finest examples of a speech perfectly timed to fit the occasion.
Coming at the end of a nasty debate (and the day before the party was to nominate its presidential candidate), the dramatic delivery and hopeful message of the speech won the admiration of the delegates.
The next day, the convention nominated Bryan as the party's presidential candidate., Remember that your goal is to be understood, not simply impress people with your intelligence.
People will already think you are smart if you have the same ideas as them, and the use of words or phrases that are currently uncommon will not be beneficial.
Keep sentences short and easily understood., If this speech matters to you, mistakes are unacceptable.
It may also be useful to have a friend proofread it as well. , There will undoubtedly be parts that are grammatically correct but sound awkward.
There will also be points that require special emphasis.
You will only know how and when to do so by practicing the speech out loud., You are already convinced of your own greatness.
Your job is to convince others.
If the friends who listen to you are anything like your target audience, then you must pay some heed to their recommendations. , It is vital that you grab the audiences attention quickly.
According to at least one speechwriter, "Audiences decide if they like you, and if you are a person of character, in between eight and 20 seconds of the start." You need to indicate something about your purpose within the first minute, even if it is not yet stated openly.
You must at least make it clear that you are going to discuss something that they want to hear about.
Many candidates chose to discuss something about themselves in the opening.
In particular, most focus on something that connects them to either the issue they will discuss today or the audience they are talking to.
Explain how you are a personally connected to something that matters to them. , Your ultimate goal must be stated within the first minutes.
Details are not necessary at this point, but in the ideal scenario you will be laying out a vision that you share with the audience.
Once again, the amount of specifics you provide about how you will achieve your goals should be tailored to fit the audience.
Are they one that is interested in such specifics, or will generalities do? Your tone must be relatively upbeat.
You can criticize the current situation, but those leaders who have been most successful at building mass followings have presented messages of hope. , Any proposal that you present must be tied to your ability to make it a reality.
If you can make clear that you are the best hope for the change your propose, you have made you election a necessity for at least some of those who are listening.
If that group is large enough, your victory is all but assured. , Yes, yes, the introduction is vitally important.
Well it is.
The conclusion is nearly as vital.
Here, you must explain to the audience what they must do in order to make change happen.
While obviously you want them to vote for you, it is often better to create a small amount of distance here.
Give the audience agency; allow them to "make a statement" on election day.
The speech should explain how your election is simply the best way they can empower themselves.
About the Author
Kyle Bell
A passionate writer with expertise in crafts topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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